Fuel gel

ABSTRACT

One example embodiment includes a fuel gel. The fuel gel can be used as a standalone fuel source or as a starter fuel for the combustion of other materials, such as charcoal briquettes for a barbeque or other cooking device. The fuel gel includes water. The fuel gel also includes a polymer. The fuel gel further includes a fuel source.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fuel gels have been used for heating and lighting for a significant length of time. These gels are easy to handle, are relatively stable and are easy to use. I.e., the average consumer can easily purchase and use the gel. In addition, the gels often can be placed in a container that directs the heat as desired.

Nevertheless, conventional fuel gels suffer from a number of drawbacks. For example, fuel gels often contain methanol. However methanol is generally derived from other hydrocarbons such as crude oil. As such, the use of methanol contributes to the decline of energy reserves rather than providing renewable energy sources and may cause other environmental problems.

In addition, these gels are generally offered for sale only in a can. Although the can is suitable for containing the fuel gel while the gel is burning, it is difficult to remove if the fuel gel is desired for other purposes. I.e., the gel is messy when removed or poured from a can, which can result in fuel being applied in undesired areas.

Further, the design of the can often leads to problems when burning the fuel gel. For example, it may be difficult or impossible to light the fuel gel in wet conditions such as rain or snow. Additionally, wind may enter the can, extinguishing the fire. Therefore, outdoor use of the fuel gel is difficult in non-optimal conditions.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a fuel gel which can utilize multiple fuels as needed. Further, there is a need in the art for a fuel gel which can use renewable fuels. In addition, there is a need in the art for a user to place the fuel gel in a desired location. Moreover, there is a need in the art for a fuel gel container which allows use of the fuel gel in outdoor and sub-optimal conditions.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

One example embodiment includes a fuel gel. The fuel gel can be used as a standalone fuel source or as a starter fuel for the combustion of other materials, such as charcoal briquettes for a barbeque or other cooking device. The fuel gel includes water. The fuel gel also includes a polymer. The fuel gel further includes a fuel source.

Another example embodiment includes a fuel gel. The fuel gel includes deionized water. The fuel gel also includes a polymer, where the polymer includes a rheology modifier. The fuel gel further includes ethanol, where the ethanol is produced from sugar. The fuel gel additionally includes triisopropanolamine.

Another example embodiment includes a method of producing a fuel gel. The method includes providing deionized water. The method also includes adding a polymer to the deionized water, where the polymer includes a rheology modifier. The method further includes adding ethanol to the mixture of deionized water and polymer, where the ethanol is produced from sugar. The method additionally includes adding triisopropanolamine to the mixture of deionized water, polymer and ethanol.

These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify various aspects of some example embodiments of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method of producing a fuel gel;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a can for use with the fuel gel; and

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a fuel gel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to the figures wherein like structures will be provided with like reference designations. It is understood that the figures are diagrammatic and schematic representations of some embodiments of the invention, and are not limiting of the present invention, nor are they necessarily drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method 100 of producing a fuel gel. In at least one implementation, the fuel gel can be a stand alone fuel source. That is, the fuel gel can be combusted as a heat source. Additionally or alternatively, the fuel source can be a starter fuel for other materials. That is, the fuel gel can be combusted to start the combustion process in other materials, as described below.

FIG. 1 shows that the method 100 can include deionizing 102 water. In at least one implementation, deionized water (aka demineralized water, DI water, DIW or de-ionized water), is water that has had its mineral ions removed. Mineral ions can include ions that are naturally occurring or which are introduced by water treatment. An ion is an atom or molecule in which the total number of electrons is not equal to the total number of protons, giving it a net positive or negative electrical charge. Examples of ions that may be removed include cations, such as cations from sodium, calcium, iron, copper and anions such as chloride and bromide.

In at least one implementation, deionizing 102 water is a physical process which uses specially-manufactured ion exchange resins. In particular, the resins bind to and filter out the mineral salts from water. One of skill in the art will appreciate that the majority of water impurities are dissolved salts; therefore, deionization produces a high purity water that is generally similar to distilled water, and this process is quick and without scale buildup. However, deionizing 102 water may not significantly remove uncharged organic molecules, viruses or bacteria, except by incidental trapping in the resin. However, specially made strong base anion resins can remove gram-negative bacteria. Additionally or alternatively, deionization can be done continuously and inexpensively using electrodeionization. Electrodeionization includes the removal of ions using an electrical current. One of skill in the art will appreciate that deionization does not remove the hydroxide or hydronium ions from water. These are the products of the self-ionization of water to equilibrium and therefore are impossible to remove.

In at least one implementation, distilled water or other purified water can be used in place of deionized water. Distilled water is water that has many of its impurities removed through distillation. Distillation involves boiling the water and then condensing the steam into a clean container. Purified water includes water from any source that is processed to remove impurities. For example the process can include reverse osmosis, carbon filtration, microfiltration, ultrafiltration, ultraviolet oxidation, electrodialysis, or any other desired method. One of skill in the art will appreciate that purification methods can include any of these methods alone or in combination with one another.

FIG. 1 also shows that the method 100 can include adding 104 a polymer to the deionized water. In at least one implementation, adding 104 the polymer to the deionized water can be done without agitation or with low agitation. No agitation or low agitation can ensure that the polymer molecule remains intact during the process. I.e., high agitation may damage the polymer. For example, the polymer can include poly(acrylic acid).

In at least one implementation, the polymer can include a large molecule (macromolecule) composed of repeating structural units. These subunits are typically connected by covalent chemical bonds. Although the term polymer is sometimes taken to refer to plastics, it actually encompasses a large class comprising both natural and synthetic materials with a wide variety of properties.

In at least one implementation, the polymer can include a rheology modifier. In particular, a rheology modifier is an additive which is used to modify the viscosity of any material. They are also known as thickening agents. I.e., the rheology modifier can change the native consistency of a solution to a desired consistency. When stress is applied on some matter there occur changes in the structure or the flow of the matter. Chemicals which are capable of changing this behavior are rheology modifiers.

Rheology modifiers are classified as associative and non-associative. Non-associative rheology modifiers do not tend to congregate with one another. Instead they provide a physical barrier to the movement of the solution. For example, non-associative rheology modifiers can include materials which are intended to dilute the solvent and make physical movement of solvent molecules relative to one another more difficult. I.e., non-associative rheology modifiers are a physical block to the movement of the solvent. Non-associative rheology modifiers include hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC).

In contrast, associative rheology modifiers are also known as water based rheology modifiers. I.e., associative rheology modifiers can be used to control the viscosity of aqueous systems. Associative rheology modifiers congregate with one another to increase viscosity. For example, associative rheology modifiers may be attracted to one another, and to the solution, to create a “structure” and, therefore, increase viscosity. The attraction may be through ionic interaction, hydrogen bonding or some combination thereof. In particular, the interaction makes the molecules less likely to move relative to one another, thus increasing the viscosity of the solution. For example, an associative rheology modifier includes hydrophobically modified alkali soluble emulsions. Examples of associative rheology modifiers include alginate, xanthan, guar, dextran, methylcellulose and carboxymethyl.

A hydrogen bond is the attractive interaction of a hydrogen atom with an electronegative atom, such as nitrogen, oxygen or fluorine, that comes from another molecule or chemical group. The hydrogen must be covalently bonded to another electronegative atom to create the bond. These bonds can occur between molecules (intermolecularly), or within different parts of a single molecule (intramolecularly). The hydrogen bond (5 to 30 kJ/mole) is stronger than a van der Waals interaction, but weaker than covalent or ionic bonds.

In contrast, an ionic bond is a type of chemical bond formed through an electrostatic attraction between two oppositely charged ions. Ionic bonds are formed between a cation, which is usually a metal, and an anion, which is usually a nonmetal. Pure ionic bonding cannot exist: all ionic compounds have some degree of covalent bonding. Thus, an ionic bond is considered a bond where the ionic character is greater than the covalent character. The larger the difference in electronegativity between the two atoms involved in the bond, the more ionic (polar) the bond is.

FIG. 1 further shows that the method 100 can include adding 106 a fuel to the mixture. In at least one implementation, adding 106 the fuel can include moderate agitation. Moderate agitation can include low speed agitation which is configured to mix the compounds without damaging the polymer. For example, moderate agitation can include mixing the water, polymer and fuel at between 300 and 500 rpms. E.g., moderate agitation can include mixing the water, polymer and fuel at approximately 400 rpms. As used in the specification and the claims, the term approximately shall mean that the value is within 10% of the stated value, unless otherwise specified.

In at least one implementation, the fuel can include any material that is capable of combustion. Combustion, or burning, is the sequence of exothermic chemical reactions between a fuel and an oxidant accompanied by the production of heat and conversion of chemical species. The release of heat can result in the production of light in the form of either glowing or a flame. Fuels of interest often include organic compounds (especially hydrocarbons) in the gas, liquid or solid phase. In a complete combustion reaction, a compound reacts with an oxidizing element, such as oxygen or fluorine, and the products are compounds of each element in the fuel with the oxidizing element.

For example, the fuel can include methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, natural gas, gasoline, lighter fluid or any other desired fuel. Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol, is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid. It is a psychoactive drug and one of the oldest recreational drugs. Best known as the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, it is also used in thermometers, as a solvent, and as a fuel. In common usage, it is often referred to simply as alcohol or spirits. Ethanol is a straight-chain alcohol, and its molecular formula is C2H5OH. Its empirical formula is C₂H₆O. An alternative notation is CH₃-CH₂-OH, which indicates that the carbon of a methyl group (CH₃—) is attached to the carbon of a methylene group (—CH₂—), which is attached to the oxygen of a hydroxyl group (—OH). It is a constitutional isomer of dimethyl ether. Ethanol is often abbreviated as EtOH, using the common organic chemistry notation of representing the ethyl group (C₂H₅) with Et.

In at least one implementation, the fuel can be obtained from any desired source. For example, the source can include ethanol derived from sugar or other biological material. For example, sugar can be fermented with yeast which metabolizes the sugar, producing carbon dioxide and ethanol. The ethanol can then be distilled to the desired concentration for use as a fuel.

FIG. 1 additionally shows that the method 100 can include adding 108 triisopropanolamine to the mixture. In at least one implementation, triisopropanolamine has the chemical formula CH₃CH(OH)CH₂]₃N. I.e., it includes a nitrogen atom bonded to three isopropanol (aka isopropyl alcohol) which has the hydroxyl group (—OH) located on the middle carbon atom respectively. Triisopropanolamine reacts strongly with oxidants. I.e., triisopropanolamine can be used to ensure that the resultant gel does not begin combusting until desired by a user.

FIG. 1 also shows that the method 100 can include sweeping 110 the gel. In at least one implementation, sweeping 110 the gel can gentle mixing. Sweeping 110 the gel can minimize air entrapment. I.e., it can remove air bubbles trapped within the gel. Additionally or alternatively, sweeping 110 the gel can mix the components of the gel, producing a homogeneous solution.

In at least one implementation, the method 100 can further include adding one or more aromatic compounds or aromatic precursors. In at least one implementation, an aromatic compound, also known as odorant, aroma, fragrance or flavor, is any chemical compound intended to change the smell or odor of the fuel gel. A chemical compound has a smell or odor when two conditions are met: the compound needs to be volatile, so it can be transported to the olfactory system in the upper part of the nose, and it needs to be in a sufficiently high concentration to be able to interact with one or more of the olfactory receptors. Aromatic precursors include any chemical compound that is configured to produce an aromatic compound when exposed to air or when combusted. The aromatic compound or aromatic precursor can be added to produce a desired odor or to alert a user to the presence of fuel gel vapor.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that, for this and other processes and methods disclosed herein, the functions performed in the processes and methods may be implemented in differing order. Furthermore, the outlined steps and operations are only provided as examples, and some of the steps and operations may be optional, combined into fewer steps and operations, or expanded into additional steps and operations without detracting from the essence of the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a fuel gel 202 in a can 204. In at least one implementation, the fuel gel 202 can be produced using the method 100 of FIG. 1. Nevertheless, one of skill in the art will appreciate that the fuel gel 202 can be produced using a method other than the method 100 of FIG. 1. In at least one implementation, the fuel gel 202 can be used as a combustion source, as described below.

In at least one implementation, the fuel gel 202 can include between 18.90 and 28.9 percent deionized water by volume. For example, the fuel gel 202 can include approximately 23.90 percent deionized water by volume. Additionally or alternatively, the fuel gel 202 can include between 0.45 and 0.65 percent polymer by volume. For example, the fuel gel 202 can include approximately 0.55 percent polymer by volume. Additionally or alternatively, the fuel gel 202 can include between 60 and 90 percent fuel by volume. For example, the fuel gel 202 can include approximately 75 percent fuel by volume. Additionally or alternatively, the fuel gel 202 can include between 0.45 and 0.65 percent triisopropanolamine by volume. For example, the fuel gel 202 can include approximately 0.55 percent triisopropanolamine by volume.

In at least one implementation, the can 204 can allow the fuel gel 202 to be used as a standalone combustion source. I.e., the can 204 can contain the fuel gel 202. Because the gel must vaporize before combustion, the can 204 can present a smaller surface area for vaporization than an uncontained fuel gel 202, thus decreasing the amount of combustion and increasing the combustion time. One of skill in the art will appreciate that any other containment source can be used in place of the can 204. For example, the fuel gel 202 can be contained in any desired glass or metal container.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a fuel gel 202 used as a fire starter. In at least one implementation, the fuel gel 202 can be produced using the method 100 of FIG. 1. Nevertheless, one of skill in the art will appreciate that the fuel gel 202 can be produced using a method other than the method 100 of FIG. 1. In at least one implementation, the fuel gel 202 can be used as a combustion source, as described below.

FIG. 3 shows that the gel 300 can be added to a substrate 302. In at least one implementation, the substrate 302 can include any material that the user desires to burn. For example, the substrate 302 can include wood, charcoal, coal or any other flammable material. In at least one implementation, the fuel gel 202 can be used as a combustion starter for the substrate 302. In particular, the fuel gel 202 can be lit on fire by a user. The burning of the fuel gel 202 can then provide enough heat to the substrate 302 for the substrate 302 to begin burning even in after the fuel gel 202 has been exhausted.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fuel gel for starting combustion in an substrate, the fuel gel comprising: water; a polymer; and a fuel source.
 2. The fuel gel of claim 1 further comprising a substrate.
 3. The fuel gel of claim 1, wherein the substrate includes one of: charcoal briquettes; or wood.
 4. The fuel gel of claim 1, wherein the polymer includes poly(acrylic acid).
 5. A fuel gel for starting combustion in an substrate, the fuel gel comprising: deionized water; a polymer, wherein the polymer includes a rheology modifier; ethanol, wherein the ethanol is produced from sugar; and triisopropanolamine.
 6. The fuel gel of claim 5, wherein the deionized water is between 18.90 percent and 28.9 percent by volume.
 7. The fuel gel of claim 6, wherein the deionized water is approximately 23.90 percent by volume.
 8. The fuel gel of claim 5, wherein the polymer is between 0.45 percent and 0.65 percent by volume.
 9. The fuel gel of claim 8, wherein the polymer is approximately 0.55 percent by volume.
 10. The fuel gel of claim 5, wherein the ethanol is between 60 percent and 90 percent by volume.
 11. The fuel gel of claim 10, wherein the ethanol is approximately 23.90 percent by volume.
 12. The fuel gel of claim 5, wherein the triisopropanolamine is between 0.45 percent and 0.65 percent by volume.
 13. The fuel gel of claim 12, wherein the triisopropanolamine is approximately 0.55 percent by volume.
 14. The fuel gel of claim 5 further comprising an aromatic compound.
 15. The fuel gel of claim 5 further comprising an aromatic precursor, wherein the aromatic precursor is configured to produce an aromatic compound if: exposed to air; or combusted.
 16. A method of producing a fuel gel for starting combustion in an substrate, the method comprising: providing deionized water; adding a polymer to the deionized water, wherein the polymer includes a rheology modifier; adding ethanol to the mixture of deionized water and polymer, wherein the ethanol is produced from sugar; and adding triisopropanolamine to the mixture of deionized water, polymer and ethanol.
 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising moderate agitation of the mixture of deionized water, polymer and ethanol prior to addition of triisopropanolamine.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein moderate agitation includes stirring at a rate of between 300 rmps and 500 rpms.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein moderate agitation includes stirring at a rate of approximately 400 rpms.
 20. The method of claim 16 further comprising sweeping the mixture of deionized water, polymer, ethanol and triisopropanolamine. 